We send an employee to the courthouse to gather the data and they create a list which they email me. There are companies that sell lists. There is a local company which goes to the courthouse frequently to update their lists which they distribute to paying investors. The set back is that it isn't always the most current lists. We like being the first ones to the door. These list providers don't update the list daily, thus preventing a list subscriber the capability of competing for first contact. Not to worry if you use foreclosure list, however, because you can definetely benefit even if you aren't first. I would say only 10% of all homeowners in foreclosure are even personally approached by an investor. It is the luck of the draw as to when a homeowner is home and when an investor stops by. I have noticed that an investor's chance of success is greatly enhanced by face to face contact with the homeowner. So if subscribing to a list frees more of your time to knock doors, by all means, it is more profitable than going to the courthouse and gathering the data yourself.

I have run into alot of interesting folk knocking doors. I will have to write some of the more memorable stories.